IT’S A TOURISM BONANZA

BLACKPOOL is set for a tourism bonanza as the town prepares for its biggest ever week of launches.

Much-heralded new attractions will open their doors at the Tower, while the Illuminations will be switched on on Friday.

In addition, thousands of cyclists are expected to take part in Ride the Lights on Tuesday, and designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen will unveil his Theatre D’Amour lights display on Thursday.

The same day sees Merlin open its Tower attractions including the Tower Eye and 4D Cinema, with the Blackpool Tower Dungeon already open after greeting its first visitors at the weekend.

Iain Hawkins, head of Merlin’s Blackpool cluster of attractions, said: “What is happening in Blackpool is brilliant and we are now just a few days away from Merlin operating eight attractions in the town.

“That’s what we have been aiming for in the last year.

“People have seen how good Madame Tussaud’s is, the numbers are well up and continuing to do well.

“If you think about that level of quality and put that in the new Dungeon and the new Blackpool Tower Eye, the town has a lot to be proud of.

“It should be the resurrection of Blackpool, and this is the beginning of it.”